I love Ugandan people

Dr. Kent is leaving for Canada this week. Last week, the women from one of the parishes invited all the FAOC people over to her house for supper. We had spent the day planting and building and even though we were running late for supper, we decided to attend without first showering. So there we were, a bunch of filthy muzungus showing up for what we thought was a casual meal. Instead, all the women of the parish were at the home, dressed to kill. They had set up the living room for our comfort and started the evening out with some local tea and buscuits they had purchased (something that is a big deal!). As we ate and drank, they continued to prepare the meal, intermittently join us for greetings. Then the food arrived. The women had prepared tonnes of food. There was rice, matoke, chicken, goat, g-nuts, beans, and do-do. For those of you who dont know, this is a huge variety. Usually when we are served a meal, we are offered 2 things - a starch and a sauce - there is no variety. So, we ate while the women watched us. This is customary in Uganda. Once we had feasted, the women then ate while we watched them. We were eager to leave because it was getting late, and it is not the best to be driving around at night, especially outside the city. We were just inching to leave when the chairperson from the parish began the speaches. They had prepared this farewell gathering for Kent, and after many very touching speaches, they presented him with some gifts - a traditional foot ball and a hand made basket. It was such a beautiful gesture, and of course, it was followed by a round of photos. It was one of my most favorite days in Uganda, and I was just the bystander at the party! All I know now is that I have BIG shoes to fill!!!

In preparation for his departure, Kent threw a going away party for the people from all the parishes. He had bought a goat for muchomo (roasted goat meat) and some sodas. With food and a community center, the party was set. On our way to the party, we were flagged down by Jose, one of my favorite kids here. He walked up to the car, opened the door, hopped onto my lap and said "we go." So off I went to the party, with Jose driving. It was very cute, especially because he loves to honk the horn!!!

When we arrived, the front field of the center was filled with >50 children. We entered into the church where there were many people from all the parishes, even ones that are a very far distance away. They had prepared special chairs for Kent, Sarah and me. Once we sat, a man introduced the program for the evening. There were several speaches and singing by women and children. The best part was that they wrote some songs in engish to say they were sad about Kent's departure. After this, it was time to cut the cake.

We were all excited, thinking we were about to have a cake the way we would in Canada. What a suprise. The cake turned out to be a steamed pumpkin that was filled with goat or beef type meat. We were all served a small portion and we ate. Even me! Me being a vegetarian was not important at that time. Offering meat to guests is a very important thing here, so I ate and smiled.

After that, we went outside for some traditional dancing. The women danced and sang while one woman played the drum. Then, Kent danced with the women. I have not laughed so hard in a long time. Some children performed, dancing and singing. It was a really great experience! The evening closed with muchomo and soda, Kent's favorite foods. Of course, I was handed a piece of goat meat it was insisted that I try it, so I ate more goat meat. I am not sure if I can call my self a vegetarian now or not, but the title seems unimportant here.